Pemberly

Pemberly (BC)

Pretty little Pemberly came to us this past summer, like last week’s blogged cats, Mayday and Sparrow, but from a different area. She was found with her litter of six kittens near the home of one of our volunteers, and quickly trapped and brought to the Adoption Centre. The kittens were young enough to be tamed fairly easily, but not so with the young mom – she was not happy with the new surroundings, and it was decided to bring her to the Sanctuary..

A dignified presence  (BC)

It’s tempting to put her in the “just another little black cat” category – and goodness knows we have enough of those in the Front Courtyard! - but Pemberly is a little more identifiable than most. She has a little white locket on her chest – but so does Texas cat Alyssa – plus odd white hairs in her black fur and on her belly. Where Pemberly stands out is that she has lovely white feathers in her ears. Why is ear hair so pretty in cats, and so un-pretty in humans?!

Still anxious in her cage  (BC)

Her cage time was in the Connor House, and she was lucky enough to be in one of the large cages, which meant that Kitty Comforters could come and sit with her without doubling themselves up to fit into one of the smaller ones. Like most newcomers, she was fearful, but didn’t express it with the hissing and spitting she had shown in the Adoption Centre – she just pressed herself against the wall, and allowed herself to be touched. 

Asking for petting  (BC)

Before long she came to the realization that humans were not too bad, and was accepting petting while Mayday and Sparrow were still warning us to stay away. It’s likely that she has had some human contact before – quite possibly she had a home and escaped before she could be spayed.

Comfy on the couch  (BC)

She was one of the cats who preferred to remain in her cage once it was opened, and when it was finally sanitized for another cat, she moved to a nearby cage for a while.  She obviously likes to have something at her back, and doesn’t explore all over the courtyard, like the other two.  Currently she can usually be found in one of two places, depending on mood and weather. There is a seating area between the Connor House and the Leukemia cats’ pen, and Pemberly tucks herself onto the back of a couch, or occasionally into one of the cat-caves. If there are not too many other cats around, she will come out and visit; once Mayday gets pushy, she retreats. She’s not cat-antisocial, but she likes her space. 

Waiting by the gate (BC)

On warmer days she can often be found sitting near the entrance gate or in the covered area close by. She knows that people are a source of petting;  food is not the passion it is for some of the others, and she doesn’t like being part of the crowd, but quiet time with a quiet person is satisfying. 

A regal greeting  (KN)

She’s still a little timid, and not a lap-cat yet, but I think with patience she could be. We have her on the “possibly adoptable” list, but would like to see her establish a relationship with a potential adopter before going anywhere. The problem, of course, is black cat syndrome – possible adopters don’t always take time to see the personality behind the black fur. For black cat lovers, Pemberly is definitely worth taking time to get to know. 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson